The governor of Minnesota on Wednesday named Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to fill the Senate seat that Democratic Sen. Al Franken said he would give up after he was accused of sexual misconduct.

“It will be my great honor to serve Minnesota as United States senator. I am resolved to do everything I can to move Minnesota forward. This is a difficult moment for us. But even now, I am filled with optimism for Minnesota,” Smith said after she was tabbed by Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton.

She will serve until a special election next year to complete Franken’s term ending in 2020.

Smith, 59, is a former General Mills exec who changed careers and got into Democratic politics.